• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Europe's five worst places to visit if you have really bad hay fever

Home> News> World News

Published 15:33 20 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Europe's five worst places to visit if you have really bad hay fever

There are some major hay fever and pollen allergy hot spots in Europe, according to new research

Tom Earnshaw

Tom Earnshaw

Speaking as someone who has suffered from it since he was six-years-old, hay fever is an absolute nightmare here in the UK.

A runny nose, watery eyes, and non-stop sneezing... three symptoms that are synonymous with the summer months for anyone else that suffers from a pollen allergy.

For some, 2024 has proven to be a particularly bad year for hay fever sufferers - and there's a reason for that. And whatever you do, do not hold your sneeze if you feel the allergies hitting you particularly hard. Try and avoid rubbing your eyes, too.

Sadly, pollen isn't restricted to the UK. Which means those of us heading overseas for a summer holiday should prepare to be hit by pollen bombs across Europe and beyond - especially if it stays warm, humid and windy.

Advert

And now, new research has been released revealing the worst places on the European continent when it comes to your holiday being ruined by the allergy.

Dr. Claire Merrifield, GP and medical director at Selph said: “People that suffer from hay fever may find that they actually have fewer symptoms, or in some cases worse symptoms when they are abroad.

"This is because types of pollen vary across different countries, and the varying climate and weather also means the pollen seasons can be vastly different.

"Some people find that when they move to a different country, they develop new hay fever symptoms. This is because they are exposed to different types of allergen that their immune system has never seen before.

Sneezing hell is a common symptom of hay fever (Getty Stock Images)
Sneezing hell is a common symptom of hay fever (Getty Stock Images)

Advert

"Bad hay fever symptoms can really take away the enjoyment of travelling abroad, so it's definitely worth thinking ahead if you do suffer from hay fever, researching the pollen count in the country you are visiting, and preparing yourself to tackle the symptoms whilst you're away."

For those heading to Faro and Lisbon in Portugal, as well as Ibiza and Dublin, don't worry too much.

The research, from Hellotickets, has named them as the best destinations you can take a trip to if you suffer from hay fever.

It differs depending on the kind of pollen allergy you have - tree, grass, or weed.

Some people get rashes when suffering from hay fever (Getty Stock Images)
Some people get rashes when suffering from hay fever (Getty Stock Images)

Advert

For tree pollen allergies, Faro is the place to be in June with it Lisbon for July and August. Ibiza makes the clean sweep when it comes to grass pollen, with it the best holiday destination for all three months. The same goes for Dublin and weed pollen across the entire summer.

Worst European destinations for hay fever sufferers

Zürich

Zürich is one of the worst cities to visit during the early summer if you have a pollen allergy. The Swiss city gathers high to extreme levels of tree and grass pollen count from April to July, but it’s a rather pleasant destination during the late summer and early autumn months.

Dr Merrifield said: "Switzerland tends to have longer, more intense pollen seasons than other countries in Europe. This means symptoms can worsen, and can last longer."

Warsaw

The Polish capital has one of the highest amounts of average grass pollen levels during the early summer months, only after Zürich, with guts of over 80 grains per metre cubic of air during June and July, an amount considered high by pollen count standards.

Advert

Nasal sprays are a common medicine used to calm the symptoms of hay fever (Getty Stock Images)
Nasal sprays are a common medicine used to calm the symptoms of hay fever (Getty Stock Images)

Milan

The iconic Italian city not only shines by their fashion industry, but also its pollen count levels. From May to August, the city features moderate tree and grass pollen levels by standard classification, although bursts can reach almost 70 grains per metre cubed. Weed pollen is also high during the autumn, so the best time to visit Milan is during the winter months.

Corfu

The beautiful island of Corfu is also among the worst destinations for hay fever sufferers. While tree and grass pollen is not particularly high during the summer, weed pollen is. A big part of UK hay fever sufferers don’t know what type of pollen they’re allergic to, so unless certain, we recommend avoiding the Greek island this summer.

Budapest

Lastly, Budapest is a safer choice for early summer travellers, but like Corfu, it gathers one of the highest levels of weed pollen during July, August and early autumn. If Budapest is on the bucket list, winter is the best time to go.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Europe, Health, News, UK News, Travel

Tom Earnshaw
Tom Earnshaw

Tom joined LADbible Group in 2024, currently working as SEO Lead across all brands including LADbible, UNILAD, SPORTbible, Tyla, UNILAD Tech, and GAMINGbible. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

X

@TREarnshaw

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
  • an hour ago

    British tourist left fighting for her life after catching deadly lung disease on all-inclusive holiday

    Donna Jobling was placed in a medically induced coma 11 days ago after her holiday to Crete took a tragic turn

    News
  • an hour ago

    Satellite images show impact site of US bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities

    New satellite snaps have revealed the extent of damage done by the US on Iran's military base

    News
  • an hour ago

    Man posed as a flight attendant for over 100 free flights in case compared to Catch Me If You Can

    Tiron Alexander was found guilty of wire fraud and unlawfully entering a secure airport area under false pretences earlier this month

    News
  • an hour ago

    Government issues serious sexual health warning for Mounjaro users as weight loss drug set to be available on NHS

    The advice from officials is for a specific group of people

    News
  • Doctor explains key signs that your 'hay fever' is actually new Covid strain
  • Brits warned about travelling to 15 ‘do not visit’ places including number of popular tourist spots
  • Hay fever sufferers warned over 'illegal' treatment that could cause huge damage to you
  • GP demands you 'visit a doctor' if your feet have any of these four signs